View full sizeJenny Wren will fly to Cleveland Oct. 10 to spend a week volunteering at Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary in Concord Township, near Painesville.Jenny Wren

Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary in Concord Township is streaming video 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Internet and attracting followers from around the world.

One of the people who enjoys watching the cats at play, or napping, as the staff cleans around them at the house-turned-shelter is Jenny Wren, 39, of Northern Ireland.

"I've been watching since May and have been amazed at the work Caroline's Kids does as a no-kill shelter," Wren said in an email. "This touched my heart, as there are not too many places like it, and the staff and volunteers work so hard caring for 290 cats."

Wren, taking time off work at a daycare for people with learning disabilities, will fly into Cleveland Oct. 10 and spend a week volunteering at the shelter, which has been streaming video from one camera in the kitchen since May 29.

Viewers can see the cats being fed at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, shelter manager Ellen Distler introduces a cat to the audience and tells its rescue story. Packages of donations are also opened at 1:30 p.m. on Fridays, and every Friday at 5 p.m., the staff turns on a bubble machine to really liven the place up.

A second donated camera will be installed in mid-October in the shelter's main room, which features a 10-foot-tall tree trunk with limbs under a vaulted ceiling and cat walkways on the walls.

The sanctuary's YouTube site has been viewed more than 15,000 times, with people signing in to chat from Europe, Asia and across the U.S., sanctuary founder Judie Brown said.

"We have two daily followers, in Kentucky and Indiana, who have learned so much about the sanctuary and know the cats' names, they answer viewer questions when I'm not available," Brown said.

And soon, viewers will meet Wren.

"This is my dream to visit such a great and loving cat sanctuary for the old and sick and special needs cats," Wren said. "I'm counting the days to my visit."

Cookout in South Euclid for dogs: Cleveland Underdog Rescue hosts its third annual cookout from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at University Suburban Health Center, 1611 S. Green Road. Admission is $5 for a hot dog, raffles and door prizes. Details: clevelandunderdog.org.

Hike in Brecksville for huskies: Adopt a Husky Ohio hosts a dog walk, lunch and silent auction at noon Saturday at the Oak Grove Picnic Area in the Brecksville Metroparks Reservation. Register for a donation beginning at 10 a.m. Details: adoptahuskyohio.com.

Great Danes in Fairview Park: Members of Harlequin
Haven Great Dane Rescue introduce people to their gentle giants from noon
to 3 p.m. Saturday at Petco, 20999 Center Ridge Road. Other Dane owners
are invited to bring their dogs. The group has 17 Danes in Bethel, Ohio,
that need homes; hhdane.com, 937-379-2231.

Summit pets: The Humane Society of Greater Akron hosts its 13th annual Pawsibilities Ball at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton in Fairlawn. Tickets are $125 a person for hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dessert, live and silent auctions, entertainment and a cash bar: 330-487-0333, Ext. 232, summithumane.org.

Animal research: Activists protest the use of animals in laboratory research Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside Ricerca Biosciences at Auburn and Crile roads in Concord Township, near Painesville, and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. outside the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute at Carnegie Avenue and East 100th Street, Cleveland. "We encourage those who choose to attend to wear black clothing and armbands," activist Ellie Israel said. Details: ellieleonin@hotmail.com.

View full sizeActivists protest the use of animals in laboratory research at the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute at Carnegie Avenue and East 100th Street in Cleveland.Ellie Israel

Low-cost neuters in Geauga: The Geauga Humane Society and PetFix Northeast Ohio offer low-cost sterilization of cats and dogs -- $30 to $70 based on weight -- for low-income owners Wednesday at the
shelter, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township; 440-338-4819. You don't have to live in Geauga County.

Pet blessing in Bay Village: The ninth annual Blessing of the Pets at St. Raphael Church on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on the lawn at 525 Dover Center Road. There will be free dog treats and a raffle for a garden statue of St. Francis. The event will be canceled if it rains.

Geauga cats: The Geauga Humane Society hosts a lesson on stray cats and how residents can help to reduce the population from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township. Details: geaugahumane.org.

Alpacas: The public is invited to visit participating alpaca farms Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29, during National Alpaca Farm Days. See the list of farms and their events at NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.

Rescued hens: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in
Ravenna took in 240 hens from a California farmer who released his older hens to rescue groups. Anyone interested in adopting white leghorns is asked to email the sanctuary's director, Annette Fisher, at annette@happytrailsfarm.org. Include a telephone number. Donations are also needed for transportation costs. Learn more at happytrailsfarm.org.

Neuter in Euclid: The Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project is offering to pay for 100 cats living in the 44110 and 44119 ZIP code areas to be neutered at the PetFix Northeast Ohio low-cost clinic at 885 East 222nd St. Make an appointment by calling 216-732-7040 and mention the project. Details: ebfcp.org, petfixnortheastohio.org.

Alpaca care: Learn how to take care of alpacas from 2 to 4:30 p.m. any three weekdays through September for $50 at Melody Lane Farm, 5546 Hartneck Road, Valley City. Register by calling 330-460-2274 or 440-570-6292.

Artists for Cleveland cats: The Waterloo Alley Cat Project will unveil six cat shelters decorated by local artists at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Gallery One Sixty, 16008 Waterloo Road. A silent auction will be held for one of the shelters. Details: waterlooalleycatproject.org, 216-481-7660.

Clams in Olmsted Township for a dog: Secondhand Mutts hosts a clam bake from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, to help pay for the surgery that restored a doberman's sight. Tickets are $45 or $80 a couple for clams, chicken, beer and wine at the West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Road. Details: secondhandmutts.org.

Calendars for Lorain County pets: Send a pet photo and $10 before Oct. 5 to Partners With Paws, and it will appear in the 2014 Pet Pin-Up calendar. Proceeds go to rescue groups. Details: partnerswithpawslc.com, 440-775-2056.

Party in Cleveland for stray cats: Community Cat Companions hosts Purrfest from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at The Lithuanian Club, 877 East 185th Street. Tickets are $35 for dinner, beer, wine, music and a raffle. Make reservations by calling 216-956-5129.

Animal rescue in Geauga: The Geauga County Animal Community Emergency Response Team seeks new members. Volunteers are trained to safely capture, transport, administer first aid and care for animals in temporary shelters. They also learn about terrorism, search and rescue, hazardous materials, animal behavior and disaster psychology. Classes begin Saturday, Oct. 26. Details: 440-279-2173, KFolsom@co.geauga.oh.us.

Farm tours in Ravenna: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary offers tours every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 26 at 5623 New Milford Road. Admission is $20, free for children 5 and younger, to meet and pet pigs, horses, roosters, goats and hear how they were rescued. Call 330-296-5914 or email info@happytrailsfarm.org.

Salamanders: Ohio State University offers a 22-page booklet, "Getting to Know Salamanders in Ohio," with color photographs to learn how to find and identify Ohio's 24 species of salamanders during "strolls through the woods on cool, rainy days." Details: estore.osu-extension.org, 614-292-1607.

Labels for pets: Heaven's Homeless Angels in Wickliffe seeks the weight circles from Purina pet food labels to help pay for food and veterinary care for the shelter's elderly or disabled dogs and cats. Mail labels to Box 654, Wickliffe, 44092.

North Collinwood cats:Waterloo Alley Cat Project volunteers neuter and feed feral cats in Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood. Donations are needed. Checks made out to Northeast Shores Development Corp., with WACP in the memo line, can be mailed to Box 19246, Cleveland, 44119. Details: waterlooalleycatproject.org, 216-481-7660.

Low-cost sterilization:Valley Save-A-Pet and 20 veterinarians in Greater Cleveland offer low-cost pet sterilization to low-income owners. More than 1,200 pets were sterilized last year in Greater Cleveland through the Have A Heart program. Call 440-232-CATS (2287) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Neuter in Parma: The Northeast Ohio SPCA offers low-cost pet sterilization by appointment Monday through Friday; $26 for male cats, $45 for females, $55 for small male dogs, $65 for small females. Vaccinations are given between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday, at 9555 Brookpark Road; 216-351-7387, northeastohiospca.org.

Cat sanctuary in Lake: Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary in Lake County needs cash to help pay its veterinary bill. Mail a check earmarked for vet bills to Box 24068, Mayfield Heights, 44124, or use PayPal at: carolines-kids.org. The sanctuary cares for nearly 300 cats at 7394 Morley Road in Concord Township and is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 440-449-3496 to make arrangements to send a check directly to a veterinary clinic.

Veterinary game: The American Veterinary Medical
Association has created a game for pet owners to test their skills at
diagnosing and treating animals. AVMA Animal Hospital is available for
free through Apple’s AppStores, Google Play and the AVMA website.
Clients bring their pets to the virtual veterinary clinic and players race the clock to learn about each animal’s condition, diagnose it and provide treatment. Suitable for children as young as 10. “Games are a great way to learn, and we hope AVMA Animal Hospital helps educate and inspire the next generation of veterinarians,” AVMA CEO Rob DeHaven
said.

Dog fighting: Anyone with information on dog fighting in Cleveland is asked to call the city kennel, 216-664-3069, or police, 216-621-1234. The Humane Society of the United States offers $5,000 rewards for information on animal fighting; call your local police or sheriff's office and the Ohio attorney general's office at 1-877-244-6446 (1-877-AG4OHIO). If the animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved to write a letter to the Humane Society stating that your tip helped lead to a conviction. Send it to Reward Program, HSUS, 2100 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, or fax 301-721-6414.

Puppy mills: The Humane Society of the United States offers $5,000 rewards for information leading to animal-cruelty convictions of puppy mill operators. Call 1-877-645-5847 (877-MILL-TIP). You can remain anonymous.

Paying for vet care: The Jake Brady Memorial Fund, named after a beloved Dalmatian, helps low-income families pay for veterinary care for pets with serious injuries or illness; myjakebrady.com, 440-937-4000. Since May 2006, the group has raised more than $80,000 and assisted more than 85 pets. Donations are welcome.

View full sizeFairminded Fran sees three black cats looking for food in her school's Dumpster, and she becomes determined to help them.Kathy Abney

Feral cat book: Children can learn about caring for feral cats by reading Linda Elder's new book, "Fairminded Fran and the three small black Community Cats." The 47-page paperback follows Fran's successful campaign to neuter and feed three cats living near her school's Dumpster. Elder is an educational psychologist and president of the Foundation for Critical Thinking. Order it at criticalthinking.org or call 800-833-3645.

Ohio rescue: Rescue Me Ohio shares information on rescued dogs, dogs in danger of being euthanized at county pounds, legislative updates, fundraising events, links to pet transportation and financial assistance for pet owners and more; rescuemeohio.org and on Facebook.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.